People who regularly go on diets tend to lose weight initially but bounce back and even gain weight after stopping the regime. This phenomenon – dubbed yo-yo dieting – is associated with changes in metabolism and is one reason why the vast majority of calorie-based diets fail. But exactly what causes these metabolic changes has remained a mystery – until now.

When it comes to carbon emissions, certain unhealthy snacks may carry an unexpected blessing compared to healthier options.

As humankind faces the threat of global warming, we are becoming increasingly aware that our every indulgence will leave its mark on the environment. This is particularly true of the food we put in our mouths.

Some drinkers might choose their beer on the fruity flavour or the promise of a hint of spice. But while including pumpkin in the kettle or adding ginger to a recipe is fine by most brewers, in Bavaria it’s not. For 500 years, Bavaria's beer purity law, known as the Reinheitsgebot, has restricted beer recipes to only the essential ingredients: barley, hops and water.